Young mother shot to death saves her baby's life

DETROIT (WJBK) - A young mother loses her life after getting ambushed in Detroit.

Police said more than 20 shots were fired at her as she tried to run for cover and her actions might have saved the life of her baby girl.

Family members of Sharonda Thomas-Turner look at the blood stains in front of their house, as they try to comprehend why.

"This was intentional and malicious and it was almost like she was a target," said Marté Bartrellai, Turner's cousin. "This is not even something she would be deserving of. I'm confused."

At about 1:40 on Sunday afternoon, 24-year-old Sharonda Thomas-Turner was sitting in her car in front of her house on Ward near Fenkell. The mother of two had her 3-month old son in the back seat.

"She saved her son," said Renisha Walls, Turner's cousin. "They were in the car when he started shooting. She made the quick fight or flight. She fled the scene to stop the shooting at the car."

Police say a 27-year old man pulled up beside her and started shootings. As she was being shot, she got out of the car and ran. More than 20 shot were fired. Police took the suspect into custody later that night.

"They caught the guy, but it doesn't bring her back," Bartrellai said.

Sharonda leaves behind a 5-year-old daughter, along with her infant son. They are now staying with their father.

"Her kids are going to survive this," said Walls. "We've got the kids. They're going to be ok. They have plenty of support.

"At least having a fragment of her through her kids," Bartrellai said. "We can still enjoy her memory and not have to keep thinking about the most recent incident."